David Macdonald - May 9th, 2026 - Are You Thirsty? - John 4:1-14 JOHN 4:5 – THE ENCOUNTER – AT THE WELL Jesus – weary from travel Came to Sychar – aka. Shechem – ancient city with a substantial history a) Where Abram first came when he arrived into Canaan from Babylonia. (Gen 12:6) b) Where God first appeared to Abram in Canaan - renewed the promise of giving the land to him and his descendants. (12:7) c) Where Abram built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. 12:8 d) This is where Jacob came safely when he returned with his wives and children from his sojourn with Laban. (33:18) e) Jacob bought a piece of land from a Canaanite named Hamor (33:19) f) Jacob built an altar to the Lord, and called it El Elohe Israel (33:20). g) Connected Jacob and what became known as Jacob’s well there in Sychar. h) Jacob’s daughter – Dinah, raped – and his sons massacred the men in retaliation. (Genesis 34) i) This was the plot of ground that Jacob gave his son Joseph j) Where the bones of Joseph were eventually buried - carried up from Egypt. (Josh 24:32) k) Joshua made a covenant with Israel, renewing their commitment to the God of Israel and proclaiming, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24) JOHN 4:5 – THE ENCOUNTER – AT THE WELL Contrasts Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman He was a Jew; she was a Samaritan He was a Pharisee; she had a rival religion He was a politician; she had no status He was a scholar; she was likely uneducated He was highly moral; she was immoral He is named; she is nameless He was a man; she was a woman He came at night; she came at noon He sought Jesus; Jesus sought her Both had the same need JOHN 4:6-14 – THE CONVERSATION – GIVE ME A DRINK Jesus – engages the woman in conversation Likely a surprise to the woman - a) A rabbi – wouldn’t speak to woman in public b) A Jew speaking to a Samaritan! (vs. 9) c) Strange time to draw water – i. Noon ii. Alone d) Jesus turns conversation to heart of the matter – a) Vs. 10 – “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.“ He made her curious – He made her curious about the things of God (If you knew the gift of God). He made her curious about who Jesus is (who it is who says to you). He made her curious about what He could give her (He would have given you living water). JOHN 4:10, 13-14 – THE OFFER – LIVING WATER People are thirsty Don’t admit it Don’t recognize it Try to satisfy it and thirst never quenched Pleasure Possessions Addictions Fame Wealth Relationships Career Path THIRST AGAIN If only…. Panama company “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever.” Satisfy spiritual longing – Will become a spring – in the person – living & fresh Life giving – everlasting life ARE YOU THIRSTY? How to get Living Water John 7:37-39 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. (38) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" (39) Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. What if you have come to Jesus, but seem to be thirsting again? Spurgeon - Someone might object: “I drank of what Jesus offers, and I feel thirsty and empty again.” The answer is simple: drink again! It isn’t a one-time sip of Jesus that satisfies forever, but continual connection with Him.” Have you found satisfaction in the Living Water – the Lord Jesus Christ – the Bible ends with this invitation Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
